Posted on May 17, 2017 4:22 PMMay 17, 2017 When I started posting about irises I didn't realize it would take up so much space and time. However I am going to continue posting on a "limited" basis since this can be time consuming, and there are other jobs to be done! I think it might be useful for future reference if nothing else. I took pictures early morning before the perpetual winds picked up and the sun got too high. In some cases winds were (and are) gusting to 25+ mph. The temperature as I write it is 86F. Some pictures from today are shown here, even though lighting might not be at its best; still better than no pictures at all. The first three show Celebration Song, a favorite.
The second group is of I. Pallida Dalmatica, a very old cultivar collected I'm told in the 1600's from southern Europe. It is very stately and tall, and it is seen throughout Midwestern gardens here in the U. S. It is shown in both left and right pictures below. The effects of wind are easily seen both left and right. (Dalmatica pictures from 5/16/17)
The next three are in much brighter sunlight after 8 am making for more intense images. Here are Different World, R. Ernst, TB 1992; Among Friends, MTB, W. Terry Varner, 1999-2002; and Cross Current, TB, Keppel, 1994-1995.
May 20, 2017 When I signed off on the previous post I typed in"Posted Daily On A Continuing Basis in iris season." Little did I realize that weather can change everything very rapidly. We have had at least three days of heavy rains, high winds and localized flooding in places. Our yard and gardens are saturated with water. The iris gardens are a muddy mess in need of sunlight to dry out. Hail and heavy rains, along with wind has damaged stems and blooms. I will make every attempt to document plants and blooms as much as is possible. With this said I had a few pictures left on the camera before all this mess started. So maybe I can salvage some of those. Here goes! Some of these I probably posted over on the iris forum so there could be duplication. Below are some which did go through the storm; some with only minor damage, others wrecked! Celebration Song at left, Celestial Explosion Somewhat tattered, and Historic Ramses in the 3rd position.
Next row shows Shepherd's Delight a wonderful TB from England by H. Fothergill, 1969/70; Then 'Snow Flurry' an American historic TB by Clara Rees, 1939, and last on this line is a storm damaged and dirty 'Glacier Point' by Rick Tasco, Superstition Gardens in California.
Some other pictures of irises that came through the storm without much damage include the following: 'Holy Night'; one of my top 5 favorite irises coming from K. Mohr, 1983. It is a superb iris in every way for those who appreciate quality! There are two pictures below on either side of Yaquina Blue from Schreiners' Iris Gardens.
This weather map below represents a continuing pattern during most of the four days before today; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday; May 17 through 20. The most damage came from driving wind and rain as well as some pea-size hail. There is so much local flooding, wind damage and muddy gardens. Damages were extensive through a broad region of the upper midwest including Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. After seeing news reports I feel that I am very lucky my damages were few.
Posted (Almost) Daily On A Continuing Basis In Iris Season
We came from here: IRISES PART TWO 2017
